What Did Your Bengaluru MP Spend the Most On? Tejasvi Surya Allocated Most MPLAD Funds, Shows Report

The city of Bengaluru has three Lok Sabha MPs — Tejasvi Surya from Bengaluru South, PC Mohan from Bengaluru Central and DV Sadananda Gowda from Bengaluru North. Cumulatively, the three spent Rs 55.88 crore from their area development funds for works in their constituencies, shows a report compiled by the Bangalore Political Action Committee. The report delves into details of the spending by the MPs, their priority sectors and participation in Parliament,

Each MP is allocated Rs 5 crore every year towards their Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund. Out of the total Rs 55.88 crore recommended by the three Bengaluru MPs – all from the BJP – over a period of five years, Rs 23.47 crore (42.67%) was spent on Public Infrastructure Development, Rs 16.03 crore (29.15%) was spent on Drinking Water and Sanitation, followed by the education sector at Rs 7.27 crore (13.22%).

MPLAD funds were suspended from April 6, 2020 to November 9, 2021 and no funds were allocated to the scheme for financial year 2020-21 in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021-22, from November 10, 2021 to March 31, 2022, Rs 2 crore was allocated to each MP.

Tejasvi Surya – Bengaluru South

The 17th Lok Sabha worked for 273 days and the national average attendance of the MPs was at 79%. The state average attendance for Karnataka MPs was at 71%. Tejasvi Surya attended Parliament on 212 days (78%) and asked 382 questions, as per the Bangalore Political Action Committee (BPAC) report.

According to the report, a total of Rs 19.36 crore was recommended by the Bengaluru South MP under the MPLAD fund. Public Infrastructure Development has been allocated the most funds at Rs 8.86 crore (45.76%), followed by health and family welfare at Rs 3.79 crore (19.58%). Basavanagudi (Rs 4.33 crore) and Jayanagar (Rs 4.32 crore) Assembly constituencies received the most funding. During 2022-2023, the highest amount of Rs 3.83 crore (14%) was recommended for works during Surya’s five-year term.

PC Mohan – Bengaluru Central

PC Mohan attended Parliament for 224 days (82%) and asked 189 questions. A total of Rs 17.79 crore was recommended by the MP for area development works. Drinking water and sanitation has been allocated the most funds by him at Rs 6.58 crore (36%). Public infrastructure development has been allocated the second highest funds at Rs 5.42 crore (30.46%). Chamarajpet (Rs 3.73 crore) Assembly constituency received the most funding. Rs 3.42 crore (19%) was recommended for works during 2022-23, which was the highest during Mohan’s five-year term.

DV Sadananada Gowda – Bengaluru North

Former chief minister and Bengaluru North MP DV Sadananda Gowda attended Parliament for 100 days (63%), but he also served as Union cabinet minister from May 30, 2019 to July 07, 2021. Often, ministers represent the government in debates, hence they do not sign the attendance register. But according to the report, the Bangalore North MP has not asked a single question during the tenure. The BJP has denied ticket to the former CM this time.

A total of Rs 18.69 crore was recommended by the MP under the MPLAD scheme and public infrastructure development has been allocated the most funds at Rs 9.18 crore. Drinking water and sanitation has been allocated the second highest funds at Rs 6.38 crore with several areas in the constituency falling in the outskirts of the city with no Cauvery water connection. Yeshwanthpur (Rs 6 crore) Assembly constituency received the most funding. During the year 2022-2023, the highest amount of Rs 4.35 crore (23%) was recommended for works during Gowda’s latest term.

DK Suresh – Bengaluru Rural

According to PSR Legislative, Bengaluru Rural MP DK Suresh raised 395 questions and took part in 21 debates with an attendance of 69% in Parliament. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation database shows that a total of Rs 16.93 crore has been spent from his MPLAD fund, with Rs 7 Lakh pending in proposal stage. The spending went towards bus shelters and other public infrastructure works.

“Voters of Bengaluru will benefit from the work undertaken by the team on MPs participation in Lok Sabha and utilisation of LAD. This brings in greater transparency of how the grants have been allocated to constituency development works,” said Harish N, a member of the BPAC.